Confidence plummeting among UK food and drink manufacturers, survey shows

Food and Drink Federation says business confidence fell to -47% amid inflation, energy and labour pressures

B&Q owner Kingfisher urges Reeves to rethink tax rises for retailers

Government accused of increasing retailers’ NI contributions and business rates but aiming to cut tax for big tech

Most feel financially secure but think UK’s economy is worsening, as chancellor plans welfare cuts in spring statement

Supermarket chain said it was mitigating extra cost amid rise in employer national insurance contributions

Supermarket to ‘invest in lowering prices across rest of year and beyond’ as it intensifies price war with rivals

Report co-authored by Irish government also finds tariffs could cause job losses and relocation of US multinationals

Up to 291,000 passengers have had journeys disrupted by the London airport’s power outage

Parties call for intervention after ACCC report found Australian grocers among most profitable in world amid cost-of-living crisis

ACCC finds the German ‘hard discounter’ has, like Coles and Woolworths, lifted post-pandemic margins to shoppers’ detriment

A 441-page report calls for 20 recommendations, including greater transparency around prices, special offers and ‘shrinkflation’

Administrators say unsecured creditors also including landlords and charities will get only between 16% and 27%

Shaftesbury Capital sells stake in estate, which includes shops, market and transport museum site

More than 12,800 stores shut in 2024, down on 2023, but extra costs expected to take toll this year, study suggests

Markets could be overreacting to supermarket price war fears as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S shares slide

Use of hi-tech search tools enables shoppers to find items they want, while trade war pushes up prices of new clothes